Radiofrequency endometrial ablation with a novel endometrial tip for the management of heavy menstrual bleeding and abnormal uterine bleeding: a prospective study

Figures & data

Table 1. Characteristics of women who underwent endometrial ablation (N = 38).

	Number (%) or mean (±SD)	Range
Age, mean (±SD), range, years	42.3 (±4.9)	30–52
BMI, mean (±SD), range	24.7 (±4.8)	17.1–35.8
Parity
0	8 (21.1)
1	15 (39.5)
2	14 (36.8)
3	1 (2.6)
Menstrual cycle
Regular	31 (81.6)
Irregular	7 (18.4)
Clinical presentation
HMB	22 (57.9)
AUB	16 (42.1)
Pre-procedure Hgb, g/dL	10.4 (±1.8)	5.7–13.9
PBAC score	331.7 (±158.8)	27–645
Dysmenorrhea (NRS score)	4.7 (±2.7)	0–9.0
Endometrial thickening before curettage, mm	9.5 (±5.2)	2.1–30.0
Length of endometrial cavity, cm	8.5 (±1.9)	7.0–14.0
Ablation time, min	3.1 (±0.8)	1.25–6.0
Findings of pre-procedure ultrasound
Normal	2 (5.3)
Leiomyoma	16 (42.1)
Type 2 submucosal	2
Intramural	13
Subserosal	1
Adenomyosis	20 (52.6)
Diffuse	14
Focal	6
Endometrial pathological results
Normal	35 (92.1)
Polyp	3 (7.9)

SD: standard deviation; BMI: body mass index; AUB: abnormal uterine bleeding; Hgb: hemoglobin; PBAC: pictorial blood assessment chart; NRS: numeric rating scale.

Table 2. Post-procedure bleeding pattern.

Bleeding description	No. (%) of patients at
	Pretreatment	3 months	6 months
Amenorrhea	0	4 (10.5)	5 (13.2)
Hypomenorrhea	2 (5.3)	16 (42.1)	14 (36.8)
Eumenorrhea	14 (36.8)	17 (44.7)	18 (47.4)
Menorrhagia	22 (57.9)	1 (2.6)	0
Follow-up loss	–	0	1 (2.6)
Total	38 (100)	38 (100)	38 (100)

Table 3. Clinical outcomes of the procedure in all women (N = 38).

	Mean (±SD)			p Value
Outcome	Pre-procedure^a	3 months	6 months
Hemoglobin	10.4 (±1.7)	12.3 (±1.4)*	12.6 (±1.2)*	<.001
PBAC score	331.7 (±158.8)	73.4 (±44.6)*	64.1 (±34.8)*	<.001
Dysmenorrhea (NRS score)	4.7 (±2.7)	0.7 (±1.0)*	0.7 (±1.0)*	<.001
Endometrial thickening, mm	11.1 (±4.1)	7.1 (±3.5)*	6.5 (±2.3)*	<.001

^aPreprocedural hemoglobin levels for the patients who received blood transfusions are the hemoglobin levels measured before blood transfusion; *p < .05 compared with pre-procedure; SD: standard deviation; PBAC: pictorial blood assessment chart; NRS: numeric rating scale.

Table 4. Clinical outcomes of the procedure in women with heavy menstrual bleeding (N = 22).

	Mean (±SD)			p Value
Outcome	Pre-procedure^a	3 months	6 months
Hemoglobin	9.9 (±1.5)	12.0 (±1.4)*	12.2 (±1.1)*	<.001
PBAC score	369.6 (±119.9)	83.3 (±44.8)*	72.4 (±30.9)*	<.001
Dysmenorrhea (NRS score)	5.4 (±2.5)	0.7 (±1.1)*	0.7 (±1.0)*	<.001
Endometrial thickening, mm	12.0 (±4.5)	7.6 (±3.9)*	6.5 (±2.4)*	<.001

^aPreprocedural hemoglobin levels for the patients who received blood transfusions are the hemoglobin levels measured before blood transfusion; *p < .05 compared with pre-procedure; SD: standard deviation; PBAC: pictorial blood assessment chart; NRS: numeric rating scale.